Okposo has certain flaws as most players do. He has a lot in common with departed Blake Comeau except Comeau hit and was a better skater.
If Okposo has a certain market value that can return a similar aged roster player who would fit our needs better, than we should not hesitate. If that something needs a sweetener with Okposo (maybe Nino?) then the only question involved is value. No one should be asking to just ship him out for the sake of ridding ourselves of him. That is poor asset management that we cannot afford.

If Okposo is available i would sure hope Chevy would call you guys up! Kids a beast

KO's not a beast, but he is a 24 yr old core player, coming off a career high 24 goals.

His $2m salary makes it very unlikely he's moved since the Isles aren't looking for depth trades.

Some our fans were calling for Grabner to be dumped last summer. He'd had 34 goals 2 yrs ago, then slumped to 20 goals last season. I made the point, that Snow would show extra patience with inconsistent youngsters like Grabner+ KO because they are signed to such team friendly deals: $1m last season, $2m this season and $3m next season.

Okposo has certain flaws as most players do. He has a lot in common with departed Blake Comeau except Comeau hit and was a better skater.
If Okposo has a certain market value that can return a similar aged roster player who would fit our needs better, than we should not hesitate. If that something needs a sweetener with Okposo (maybe Nino?) then the only question involved is value. No one should be asking to just ship him out for the sake of ridding ourselves of him. That is poor asset management that we cannot afford.

When Comeau was dealt, he was coming off that 24 goal season in which he'd replaced the injured Okposo. He wanted a longterm deal but Snow wouldn't give it to him. He signed that 1 yr/ $2.5m deal and imo was pretty pissed at the organization.

I thought the reason the isles were willing to waive him was because he simply wasn't working hard, that the bad contract talks had played a role.

When Comeau was dealt, he was coming off that 24 goal season in which he'd replaced the injured Okposo. He wanted a longterm deal but Snow wouldn't give it to him. He signed that 1 yr/ $2.5m deal and imo was pretty pissed at the organization.

I thought the reason the isles were willing to waive him was because he simply wasn't working hard, that the bad contract talks had played a role.

Don't want to bring up the whole Comeau situation other than to point out that teams GM needs to trade player contracts to improve both talent level, suitablity for certain roles, and economic concerns. Ideally all three items are addressed satisfactorly.
Would PK Subban meet our organization needs if we could add him at the cost of Okposo? Not suggesting this trade, only as an example. Would what Subban brings us improve the team after eliminating Okposo's contributions? Can we more easily find a replacement for Okposo internally in the next 12-18 months more easily than finding a similar set of skills that Subban brings?
A lot of posters become emotionally attached to our home grown players and refuse to consider how the organization and future success of the team is effected (improved). This is a mistake, and I have done it myself.
KO is a trade chip. Every player is a potential trade chip except JT.

Don't want to bring up the whole Comeau situation other than to point out that teams GM needs to trade player contracts to improve both talent level, suitablity for certain roles, and economic concerns. Ideally all three items are addressed satisfactorly.
Would PK Subban meet our organization needs if we could add him at the cost of Okposo? Not suggesting this trade, only as an example. Would what Subban brings us improve the team after eliminating Okposo's contributions? Can we more easily find a replacement for Okposo internally in the next 12-18 months more easily than finding a similar set of skills that Subban brings?
A lot of posters become emotionally attached to our home grown players and refuse to consider how the organization and future success of the team is effected (improved). This is a mistake, and I have done it myself.
KO is a trade chip. Every player is a potential trade chip except JT.

I'm not saying Okposo should be some untouchable.I disgree with the complaints in this thread that KO's playing soft or not trying hard.
Imo Comeau was upset over his contract and it carried over onto the ice. 0 pts in 16 games and a laid back effort soured the isles.

However, there isn't a play on the roster, I would not want traded in the right deal.

When Tavares name is bought up on the main trade board, I post that I'd love to have Stamkos for Tavares. I know that trade makes no sense for TB because Stamkos is the better scorer, but that's the type of return I'd want for Tavares.

As for KO, if Snow can find a trade for a young upgrade, using KO as the key trade chip, great. I just don't want young core players, moved in depth trades or moved because fans are giddy over kids in juniors or the AHL.

In my opinion Kyle is going to be a solid 3rd line player who can chip in 20 goals and 40-45 pts. Many people thought or were hoping we drafted Jarome Iginla 2.0, but that may have been due to reasons other then style of play. Part of the problem with KO is the fans expectaions and teams limitations. The fans are/were hoping/expecting to be getting a 30+ goal 65-70pt player. The team is using him on the first line, not because he's a first line talent but because they don't currently employ first line talent other then JT. If the Islanders had a deep, talented roster similar to the Bruins and KO is playing on the 3rd line with players like Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly he would probably fit in perfectly and grow into the player his skill set is geared for. Putting him on the top lines and being upset at his lack of scoring is more of an orginizational issue then an Okposo issue if you ask me.

In my opinion Kyle is going to be a solid 3rd line player who can chip in 20 goals and 40-45 pts. Many people thought or were hoping we drafted Jarome Iginla 2.0, but that may have been due to reasons other then style of play. Part of the problem with KO is the fans expectaions and teams limitations. The fans are/were hoping/expecting to be getting a 30+ goal 65-70pt player. The team is using him on the first line, not because he's a first line talent but because they don't currently employ first line talent other then JT. If the Islanders had a deep, talented roster similar to the Bruins and KO is playing on the 3rd line with players like Rich Peverley and Chris Kelly he would probably fit in perfectly and grow into the player his skill set is geared for. Putting him on the top lines and being upset at his lack of scoring is more of an orginizational issue then an Okposo issue if you ask me.

When you say third line, do you mean as a top end checker? The biggest complaint with him ever since the big hit has been his piss poor physical game. That is a big minus for a checking line player.

When you say third line, do you mean as a top end checker? The biggest complaint with him ever since the big hit has been his piss poor physical game. That is a big minus for a checking line player.

I don't think his physical game is great but I do think he has a chance to grow into a very sound defensive player with solid positional skills. I think his work in the corners has improved and he has the ability to cycle the puck down low. Kyle has flaws that are draw backs for any line you put him on I guess but I do think he's going to be a solid player who you can trust on the ice and should be able to help on the PK. I could be wrong in my assment as Kyle is still a developing young player, but I think with the right players around him he could be well suited to become a heady 3rd line type on a contending team.

I don't think his physical game is great but I do think he has a chance to grow into a very sound defensive player with solid positional skills. I think his work in the corners has improved and he has the ability to cycle the puck down low. Kyle has flaws that are draw backs for any line you put him on I guess but I do think he's going to be a solid player who you can trust on the ice and should be able to help on the PK. I could be wrong in my assment as Kyle is still a developing young player, but I think with the right players around him he could be well suited to become a heady 3rd line type on a contending team.

And I see him more as a 25 goal, 25-30 assist 2nd liner, who does the grunt work of aggressive puck pursuit.

People are dissapointed when a player with his size doesn't bang. I think he's a servicable 2nd line forward who still needs to mature. I wouldn't trade him unless there was a player coming back that fills an immediate need.

People are dissapointed when a player with his size doesn't bang. I think he's a servicable 2nd line forward who still needs to mature. I wouldn't trade him unless there was a player coming back that fills an immediate need.

He has 10 lbs on Boyes and Tavares and is the same height. What am I missing? Not sure why people think Okposo is so 'BIG'.

Kyle always seems to take a beating on this board, Grabner was a victom of it last year too. Thank goodness he got off to a hot start or people would be screaming to ship him out for the first warm body that comes along too.

Last year I was more of a board watcher/lurker. This year I'm posting more. It took everything I had last year not to say 'Those that want to trade Grabner should have their posting rights rescinded'. I'm pretty much there with Okposo now too. It's silly talk.

Okposo scored more goals last year than Aucoin, mcDonald, Ullstrom, Cizikas, Martin have their whole career, combined.

Let's not pretend the NYI are a team that can afford to lose proven NHL players.

Sure, he's not Iginla, but he's not Pandolfo or Reasoner or Rolston either

/end thread

Red Bull said it
Kyle is getting his grove and is going to be a 20-30 goal scorer (in the best league in the world), that does things that don't always show up on the score card. We need guys that play a different role. Not everyone can be Tavares or Hamonic. Good teams role 4 good lines that know their roles (Just like the Rock taught us 10 years ago ). It looks like we might have the start of a good combo of 2nd and 3rd lines. JT and Moulson get the rust off....and we find a way to get rid of Reasoner, Finley we MIGHT have something special.

But he is absolutely on the team he should be on. Get him to the 2nd line by buying/developing a 1st line RW and he'll be considered a really good 2nd line wing. He's the least of our problems, and I don't get why so many of you are getting all over him 3 games into the seaosn.

I think he needs a change of scenery and considering Strome and Nino will be here sooner then later i just feel maybe in his and our best interests to find a way to move him. He plays very soft and just looks lost most of the time. I hate giving up on a guy this early but i just see it never happening here for him..Thoughts?

Agree.....Don't want to wait on this to long.....I would deal him and The MIA Vish....to Habs for PK.....and a a minor player......or pick

First i want to say this is my opinion and second i did not go on a rant that he sucks and after reading most of the comments i think maybe i'm in the wrong. Maybe i expected Jerome Iginlia and tht's not the player he is so my view is clouded hence why i posted what do you think because i wanted others opinions and i dont want to use him as a whipping boy. I do not know it all and that's why i brought up this thread to see if it was something i was seeing/feeling and in this case i must agree again i probably expected to much from him and i was thinking he was going to become JI 2.0. I would much rather ask questions about somebody with more knowledge than i, rather then be ignorant and just ass/u/me i know what i'm talking about so my next goal is to watch him a little more closely and understand he is a very good player just as not as great as i hoped he would be but again that's my fault and i appreciate all of your input.

Two things:
1) As always, what is the return on KO? That is a big factor. Who and/or what draft picks are the Isles getting. Can't talk about moving KO without talking about what he'll fetch.

2) If he's still stagnant (I like that word to describe his growth)...if he's still...if we are still waiting for him to come out of his shell at the end of this season then maybe, but definitely one calendar year from now, then yes, I'd shop him...

There is no reason to look to move KO at this point. His game is sound and he does not look lost as some have said. The one thing that I think he needs to work on is his conditioning. I am not sure what he did in the extended off-season, playing or working out, but it is clear that he gets winded more than almost any other player on the ice. That may be a combination of poor conditioning and trying to do too much on each shift, but if you look at him versus JT after each shift, KO looks like he is going to collapse while JT looks ready for his next shift.

Bingo. Kyle averages about 1 minute of ice time per shift, and only the best players who are well conditioned tend to play well after 40 seconds:

I hope he can start taking shorter shifts once Joensuu and Bailey return, because consistently taking 60+ second shifts is a big problem for his game. You especially saw it in the third period last night vs. the Bruins. I was there, Loge12, Row 7, Seat 10 (literally, center ice, 5 rows behind the sin bin). He was buzzing the first two periods and was getting a lot of jam along the boards against players like Chara who I expected to knock him off the puck. But he was battling, and probably our best player along the boards the whole game. But his overall play faded in the third, as did our other players, especially after the back-to-back with Toronto. But we also let Toronto back into the game in the third.

The combination of better conditioning and shorter shifts will really boost his game. It will be interesting to track how well he does there as the game/season goes on.

I partially place the blame on Capuano, and partially place it on Tavares, and partially place it on Snow & Wang & the decrepit Coliseum for not having/attracting depth players that would allow us more balanced line rolling.

Or is that quickly forgotten? If he pulls a Blake Comeau...sure...but let's actually wait until that happens. Why is Comeau scoring 20 goals a reason to celebrate and Okposo scoring 24 means time for a change in scenery?

Or is that quickly forgotten? If he pulls a Blake Comeau...sure...but let's actually wait until that happens. Why is Comeau scoring 20 goals a reason to celebrate and Okposo scoring 24 means time for a change in scenery?

I think Matt Martin scored his goal in the TB game. In that thread, we had fans calling for Martin to be placed in Okposo's spot next to Tavares.

Now, I love Martin's hardnose style, but there is nothing that I've seen from Martin, to indicate he's got the potential to be a 25 goal scorer at the NHL level.

I'm gonna guess that the OP with the screen name MattMartin, was one of those calling for the two to flip spots.

Replace Okposo with Nino? You are aware they play different positions, right? You are also aware that Nino is the guy asking for a trade, right? You are aware that Kyle is the guy that wants to be here long term and signed a long term(ish) deal that works economically, right? You are aware that Okposo is one of about 4 players in the organization that is a true Right Winger and has a right handed shot, right? Also you do know that this is the Islanders, right? When did we become such a power house that we can just ship out 23 year old first round draft picks that score at 20-25 goals per year pace because they have 2 points after 4 games?

In Nino's next 200 NHL games, he is going to have to score 67 goals to catch Kyle's production at the same point in their career. Hope it happens, and I hope Kyle is still his teammate at that point.

Answer: Yes Replace KO with Nino

Last Time I looked They both are playing right wing!

Nino wants out because he believes he is ready for The bigs and was not even invited to the 1 week camp.

KO is a drifter....he is weak on the puck and loses it to often.....

Fact is KO needs a change....He is not a first line winger...it is that simple